HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2265

(E) "PROGRAM" MEANS THE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM.
7-702.

(A)  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT:

(1)  THERE ARE OVER 2,500 DISABLED CHILDREN PLACED
OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOMES BY STATE AGENCIES;

(2)  BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SUPPORT SERVICES WITHIN THE
COMMUNITY, FAMILIES ARE OFTEN FORCED TO PLACE THEIR DISABLED
CHILDREN OUTSIDE THE HOME AND EXCESSIVE COSTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH
CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS;

(3)  THE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROJECT SPONSORED BY
THE MARYLAND STATE PLANNING COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT DISABLED CHILDREN CAN BE RETURNED TO THE
COMMUNITY AND NEW RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS PREVENTED WHEN SUPPORT
SERVICES FOR FAMILIES ARE AVAILABLE;

(4)  FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES ENABLE FAMILIES TO
PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF THEIR DISABLED CHILDREN IN THE LEAST
RESTRICTIVE SETTING; AND

(5)  MAINTAINING DISABLED CHILDREN WITH THEIR FAMILIES
HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO BE COST EFFECTIVE.

(B)  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES THAT IT IS THE POLICY OF
THIS STATE TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AND THEIR FAMILIES, TO PRESERVE FAMILY
UNITY, AND TO PROMOTE FAMILY STABILITY BY:

(1)  PROVIDING ESSENTIAL FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES TO
ASSIST FAMILIES IN CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITY IN THE HOME; AND

(2)  DIMINISHING THE USE OF RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS FOR
CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY.

7-703.

(A)  (1) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL ESTABLISH THERE IS A
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM.

(2) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL CONTRACT WITH PRIVATE
NONPROFIT COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE PROVISION OF
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES.

(B)  THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL IMPLEMENT A SLIDING PAYMENT
SCALE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM FAMILIES FINANCIALLY ABLE TO PAY FOR
ALL OR PART OF THE SERVICES UNDER THE PROGRAM.

(C)  (1) BEFORE USING PROGRAM FUNDS, THE PROGRAM SHALL
COORDINATE AND ASSIST ANY ELIGIBLE CHILD AND FAMILY IN RECEIVING
SERVICES AVAILABLE UNDER EXISTING PROGRAMS INCLUDING: